Fe/Activated Carbon as a Catalyst in Wet Oxidation of Phenolic Compounds in a Trickle Bed Reactor

Abstract

A high level of phenolic compounds is realized in some refinery waste water. Fe-activated carbon catalyst is prepared and applied in a trickle bed reactor to eliminate phenolic compounds contents in that waste water. Activated carbon was modified by Fe oxidative treatments to introduce oxygen surface groups. The catalyst is applied at different operating conditions of feed acidity (pH), liquid hour space velocity, pressure, and temperature. The prepared catalyst exhibited an optimum performance in the reactor at 1.3 h⁻¹, 140°C, and 8 bar. The catalytic oxidation results in unharmful intermediates.

Keywords:

• catalyst
• phenolic compounds
• waste water
• wet oxidation